Now, skids are typically with us 90% of the time. Recently, BM started to take more interest in them so they're over at her house more. (50 50 custody). I noticed that SD10 was getting fewer playdates- everyone's booked, people aren't inviting her over as much. I found out why from another mom. Apparently, on her weekends, BM emails all of SD10's friends parents. She even emails parents of kids SD isn't friends with. With each parent, she tries to arrange a play date, which hopefully does not occur at her house.

And I'm so glad I bought the e book Step monster. I work with people who are much younger than I am and they do not have step kids (yet) as they are either not married yet, newly divorced, or on their first marriage having their own kids who at this time are mostly infants.

Although husband and bm have skids 50% of the time each, they are with us 90% of the time. Some of the excuses for not seeing the kids are believable- I mean I can't question whether someone else is sick. It's suspicious when they are sick for 3 months but still plausible. There are other excuses for not seeing the kids, however. "My good friend Suzie (name changed) died and I must go to the funeral" Husband knows Suzie and is very sad about her untimely death. After a few emotionally charged phone calls from husband to mutual friends, he discovers that Suzie is still alive.